BRIGHT SPOT: This may not be earth-shattering, but any glimmer of light is welcome in the darkness. Last month, consumer spending rose more than forecast, a sign households are gaining confidence in the recovery and the improving job market. Commerce Department figures showed purchases improved after... more

IT’S OUT THERE: You can sit back and complain, moan and groan about the sagging economy and long-gone luxuries, or you can spend that time scouring newspapers for articles that are upbeat, full of promise and hope, and herald an end to these fiscal doldrums. I always find snippets of reasonably good news when I troll the pages of the newspaper; perhaps not every day, but most of the time... more

I know what you’re thinking. How can FCNews in its right mind peg the laminate market for 2009 at over $1 billion ($1.073 billion to be exact). Truth be told, it could be higher... more

OUTLOOK: Sometimes reading, listening to or watching the news can be very depressing. When you’re in the doldrums, any ray of sunshine or sliver of light is manna from heaven. Perhaps the recession has hit bottom and is rebounding. Check these facts and figures gleaned over... more

When legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden passed away earlier this month, the world lost more than the greatest basketball coach who ever lived. It lost someone who bettered this world... more

NOT BAD: Retail sales continued their slow but steady climb back up in April, totaling $366.4 billion on an adjusted basis or 0.4% ahead of March, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Year-over-year comparisons show total April retail sales rose... more

HARBINGER: Despite the recent bailout of Greece and the still struggling European economy, Cersaie 2010 seems unaffected by the surrounding fiscal problems and is already fully booked. How great is that? The ceramic tile show, staged in Bologna, Italy, runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 2 and already there are more than 800 exhibitors signed up, about... more

OPTIMISM: As industries continue to report better profits and add new jobs, economists are optimistic about prospects for growth this year, but they still expect the recovery to be slow. In a recent survey by the National Association for Business Economics, 70% believe the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by more than... more

About a year ago I was talking to Jim Mudd, president of Sam Kinnards Flooring Outlet in Louisville. Good news, bad news. Despite the economy, when he had a warehouse sale or special limited-time promotion, he did near to... more

REBOUND: After plummeting 10.5 points in February, the consumer confidence index bounced back more than half way in March. According to the Conference Board, the index rose 6.1 points to 52.56 in March. Both of the components—present situations and expectations—made significant gains as well, with the present conditions... more